It has been 19 years since trainer Red Smith won the Canadian Derby with fan favourite Fancy As, and it looks like he’s got a legitimate contender in Alberta-bred Maskwecis for 2020.
Maskwecis (Jimmy Creed – Maidstone, by Aptitude) and Rico Walcott won the $40,000 Western Canada Handicap at Century Mile and stamp themselves as the favourites heading towards the Derby, September 27.
The dark bay settled off the pace of This Time Lucky through an initial two furlongs in 21.70 and a half mile in 44.57. He was four wide while stalking and then five wide when he made his big into the turn for home while Dune D’oro went for the lead. Maskwecis overhauled Dune D’Oro in the final furlong to win in 1:10.02 for a 74 Beyer Speed Figure according to Daily Racing Form. Dune D’Oro was 1 1/4 lengths back in second with Bare Back Jack third.